Monday, June 7, 2010

The Regimen - Crystal Light Pure Fitness Post #1

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light Pure Fitness.***

At first glance, I may seem like a gym enthusiast.

I'm a regular on the Stairmaster; I lift free weights. I actually know how to stand on that dome-shaped BOSU half-ball thingie.

And about 40-percent of the time, I don't fall off it, either.

But that's where the facade ends.

Because I'm not the girl that drinks protein shakes or believes in energy bars.

The thought of eating more than two eggs in a sitting makes me nauseous.

And I'm more likely to take up dog-fighting than I am to wear a matching tank top and shorts.

Truth is, I trip off treadmills all the time. I drop dumb-bells on my toes. And when I go on vacation, I'd sooner sleep than hit the hotel gym.

Because as much as I'd like to be the fittest girl on the gym floor, at 5 a.m., I want to get in, get my workout, and get out. With all 10 of my toes intact.

I'm a moderate.

A moderate who values fitness.

I work out five to six mornings a week, mixing cardio and weight training into almost every hour-long workout I do. I eat reasonable amounts of real food - proteins, carbs, and fats - while also indulging in a treat when I want one. And I try to stay as hydrated as possible, considering about the only thing I am an extremist about is sweating. ('Cause, baby, I can sweat.)

But I'm not perfect.

Not by a long-shot.

Just like I slip the occasional cookie into my after-dinner snack, I also struggle to tote around a massive water jug, like the big boys and girls do, at least at my gym.

Dehydration is but an afterthought, leaving me still blessedly running on the treadmill, upright and fancy-free, hoping and praying that my next step won't become a trip.

Sure, the big boys and girls at the gym may think I'm cheating.

But the truth is, while it may be a little less hard-core, it's also a little bit more me.

Because I'm a moderate. I work out for about an hour day, five or six times a week. I eat normal, healthy foods, with the occasional splash of ice cream on the side.

And I drink my water in a normal-sized bottle.

No fear of concussion required.

***

So, tell me, what do you do to stay fit? What fitness tips do you have that keep you up, running, and in a healthy state of mind?

Every answer entered below will put your name in the ring for the drawing of a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer and Crystal Light Pure Fitness, taking place at the end of this month.

To find out the official rules of the Crystal Light Pure Fitness Reviews Program, head here. And while you're at it, take a peek at the other bloggers reviewing Crystal Light Pure Fitness at BlogHer.com CLPF exclusive offers page and enter to win four other additional $100 gift cards, as well as a $1,000 sweepstakes.

Thanks for playing along! Can't wait to see what fit tips you all come up with this week!

37 comments:

I have started prepacking snacks for my week which helps me stay out of the candy jar at work! I have also started walking in the morning before work & then hitting the gym after the office. It has really given me a lot more energy! i am so going to try these pure fitness packs!

I try and work-out 4-6 times per week doing videos and my new love, running. I started eating a cleaner diet but still indulge every now and then! If I don't work-out iin the morning, I won't, so I get up super early!

I do the 30 day shred, I run on the treadmill or around the neighborhood, I beg my husband to show me moves that he does at PT and I keep a food journal when I really want to cut the lbs to hold myself accountable.

On top of my semi-regular workouts (including walking/running, shred, and various videos), I've started dog-sitting/borrowing and taking my friend's dog on a walk 3-4 days a week. It's nice to get some extra exercise in and do a good deed for friends who can't get home to walk their dog at lunch!

I'm getting back into working out, started this morning! :) We're re-joining the gym soon, when I'll be found most often in step, zumba, and spin classes. But for now, I'm walking in our neighborhood.

I figure that walking 30 minutes on hills and pushing a double jogger that totals around 120 lbs with the big kids in it, and wearing the baby in a carrier on my front is probably equivalent in calories to running 30 minutes on a flat treadmill, right? ;)

You absolutely just described me and my work-out regiment. I am most definitely a moderate. However, I recently discovered something called the Bar Method - a combo of strength training, abs, ballet moves and pilates - and it has by far given me the most comprehensive work-out I've ever had. It has taught me the importance of adding strength training to my daily routine (I am a runner, so I usually do just that).

I really like walking around my neighborhood pushing my kiddos in the double jogger. After they go to bed I use at-home workout programs like Turbo Jam and Chalean Extreme to get some some good cardio and strength training. I've tried other ones in the past but these actually keep me interested and get results! I also TRY to drink more water and less diet coke. Getting a big (way too expensive) Camelbak sports water bottle helped too! Its way more fun to drink water out of the big straw thing!! My kids love it too!!

I always tried to get into fitness and staying with a gym routine but I always fell off the wagon after a couple months. Now that I have gotten into running I love it! It is amazing how someone like me, not particularly athletic who hated running is now addicted to running. I feel so much better. I love the people I've met through running and I love meeting my goals. I ran my first full 5K during my training run last week and it was an amazing feeling. My first race is next month!

I've recently taken up running, working toward a Half Marathon in September, but I'm still pretty bad about nutrition. My one good energy snack is a trail mix of dried cherries, almonds and dark chocolate. It is SOOOO yummy and a great pick-me-up/treat after a run or while out walking with the family.

I haven't been able to do what I want lately thanks to an annoying knee issue.

So instead, I've taken to doing mini workouts as I unpack my apartment. And if I hear myself think something critical about my body, I go do 10 of something-- ie if I think something bad about my arms, I go do 10 pushups. It reminds me how strong I am, and gives me a little boost of energy.

My water bottle that I take to the gym holds a full 32 oz. The cup I drink from at the office (same as the ones I use at home) holds 32 oz. When I travel, I buy the ginormous bottles of water & refill.

I never worry about getting enough water (because I more than get my fill), but it is good to know that this can be recommended to help people drink more, if they aren't getting enough already.

Ok, so to answer your questions:

I stay fit by staying active. I work out in the mornings. I lift on days I don't have to wash my hair (I have more time) & just do cardio on days I do.

I stay fit by walking with Hayden in the evenings when the weather is decent.

I encourage Mr. Potts to walk with us (get him a little extra cardio in).

I also try to eat natural - not a lot of pre-packaged, highly processed foods. Mr. Potts & I both enjoy those recipes a ton more.

I've also found that a small, healthy snack (apple, banana, etc) in the afternoon helps to curb my cravings.

I have a gym membership which I use in the winter but in the summer, I prefer to run, bike or walk outdoors. My dog really helps to motivate me too because he pesters me relentlessly until he gets his walk each day.

Since I’ve kind of turned over my new and healthier leaf in the New Year, I’m still learning as I go. I try to get to the gym at least 3 times a week and want to get that up to 4-5. Now that it’s summer I do mix in some laps one to two days at the pool. That does make me feel like I’m getting a total body workout and I hope to be more toned come mid-summer.

One of my big things is not eating late at night. I try not to ever eat after 7. One of the big things for me also is drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. I’m sure one of these Crystal Light Pure Fitness packets would make that H2O consumption even better!

The last big change I’ve made is just cutting down on portion sizes in general. If we go to a restaurant, I pretty much eat half of what is served to me and the rest gets packed up for another day. When we cook at home, we use lean meats and proteins as well as lots of veggies and a small starch. Some days are easier than others, but so far, so good.

I try to mix up my workouts. I switch off between running a few days a week, hitting up a kickboxing class, a body pump class or two during the week and trying to add in more non exersise routines. Such as riding my bike to work when I can, walking places instead of driving. I am trying to just be more active in general. So far I feel good and have maintained my weight, hoping to amp it up a lose a few lbs along the way.

I am older and have some health problems but my husband and I take a 20 minute walk each morning and keeping up with young grandkids adds some exercise to my day! And they all love fresh fruit so we have a fruit snack time together

Both the dog and I have started walking almost every day for at least 1/2 hour...the vet said she has to lose weight and it's already starting to show after just a month. I feel better myself, too. I usually bring my ipod and a bottle of Crystal Light Iced Tea/Lemonade mix with me.

I realized I was spending more time indoors than outdoors. And I knew it would take a major life do-over to change that. I had heard about the Wii and how great it is for physical fitness, but I couldn't afford one. I do have an old Playstation 2 that still works, so I got on an auction site and found Dance Dance Revolution with the mat and all and now I try to do that at least a few times a week. Hey, it's better than nothing!! And it's FUN!